2012 Chinese New Year Forecast

The Chinese zodiac is comprised of twelve animals, each representing a year. The Chinese New Year coincides with the New Moon in Aquarius, referred to as a Lunar New Year. If you are a January-born Capricorn, your Chinese animal is the one representing the previous calendar year. If you are an Aquarius, you must check the calendar of the year you were born to see when the New Moon occurred.

If you were born after the New Moon, you belong to the sign of the Chinese Animal that will rule the rest of that year. If you were born before that New Moon, you share the traits of the Chinese Animal most associated with the prior calendar year. Do not worry about being near the end of a Chinese Animal’s reign. The reason that the Lunar New Year celebration includes so many firecrackers is that a year finishes just as strong as it starts.

Legend has it that before the Buddha ascended to heaven, twelve animals came to see him. Each one was awarded rulership of a successive year beginning with the Rat, the first animal to show up for the grand departure. The fifth animal to show up was the Dragon.

2012 is the year of the Dragon. Look for new initiatives and abandonment of old ways of doing things in favor of experiments and innovative solutions. If you are ready to make a big leap, take a gamble or try something outrageous. This is the year to do it. The Year of the Dragon begins late in the evening on January 22 or early January 23, depending on where you live.

Read below for your Chinese Animal to see how the year of the Dragon will affect you.

“Happy New Year!” in Chinese

新年快乐! Pronounced “Kung hei fat choi”, this is the traditional Chinese salutation given on Chinese New Year. Loosely translated, it means “Congratulations and be prosperous”.

Rat ( 鼠 ) 1924, 1936, 1948, 1960, 1972, 1984, 1996, 2008

This is a year of gambling and taking great leaps. The 2012 Dragon invites the Rat to find an opportunity and dream big in order to go for it once and for all. Your Ancient Saying: The king only fights to take a seat once in his life. .

Ox ( 牛 ) 1925, 1937, 1949, 1961, 1973, 1985, 1997, 2009

You might have to move in the middle of making other plans. Domestic dislocation taunts your efforts to put projects together. Embrace the chaos and live in the Dragon’s moment. Your Ancient Saying: A leaky ceiling doesn’t matter when you dance in the rain on the roof.

Tiger ( 虎 ) 1926, 1938, 1950, 1962, 1974, 1986, 1998, 2010

If you are offended by gossip, this is going to be a tough year. You are going to be the subject of much idle speculation, but it is only because people admire your accomplishments. Enjoy the attention. Your Ancient Saying: The Dragon’s whisper is a shout.

Rabbit ( 兔 ) 1927, 1939, 1951, 1963, 1975, 1987, 1999, 2011

Money issues dominate all year and you might even get better at juggling finances than you imagined. This is a casual, pleasant year if you partner up with someone that shares your worldview. Your Ancient Saying: Someone who walks like you, thinks as you do.

Dragon ( 龍 ) 1928, 1940, 1952, 1964, 1976, 1988, 2000

This is your year and the excitement ahead can be so over-stimulating that you miss lots of what is great out there. A partner can help relax you, but remaining clear about what you want is key. Your Ancient Saying: Giving credit ensures never solely taking the blame.

Snake ( 蛇 ) 1929, 1941, 1953, 1965, 1977, 1989, 2001

Forge ahead without reading the instructions. This is a year to meet the challenges of your world through trial and error. Structures can be built from scratch to solve problems. Your Ancient Saying: Poise is often simply ignoring all apparent tension.

Horse ( 馬 ) 1930, 1942, 1954, 1966, 1978, 1990, 2002

The party invitations are nice, but the year of the Dragon is exciting as it delivers affirmations from those who take you seriously. Many puzzle pieces connect in the months ahead. Your Ancient Saying: You can’t attend parties on two sides of town at once.

Sheep ( 羊 ) 1931, 1943, 1955, 1967, 1979, 1991, 2003

A lover’s caresses are no match for career temptations. You might have a chance to get ahead, but it could be alone. The Dragon’s path of solitude is one with success at a table for one. Your Ancient Saying: Getting to know yourself is a lonely business.

Monkey ( 猴 ) 1932, 1944, 1956, 1968, 1980, 1992, 2004

Sporting a new look with an emphasis on the slightly exotic will balance your conventional approach to love and family. The Dragon is calling for an exciting travel adventure. Your Ancient Saying: Only visit a cemetery at the start of a trip.

Rooster ( 雞 ) 1933, 1945, 1957, 1969, 1981, 1993, 2005

Structure and discipline are not often associated with erotic escapades. But the Dragon’s temptations are so numerous that you will need rigor not to lose it all to lust and love. Your Ancient Saying: Turning out the lights is as often a start as it is a finish.

Dog ( 狗 ) 1934, 1946, 1958, 1970, 1982, 1994, 2006

A partnership dominates as the Dragon tears you away from projects and career goals. You have a lover or intense acquaintance that will almost merge with you this year. Your Ancient Saying: Submitting to the one you love keeps you out of the audience.

Pig ( 豬 ) 1935, 1947, 1959, 1971, 1983, 1995, 2007

The Dragon activates your sense of smell and the flirtatious advances of a desirable partner make for a forbidden escape. The boredom of the everyday is defeated. Stability is the second casualty soon thereafter. Your Ancient Saying: Adventure rarely pays the bills.